Strawberry plant named &#39;bg-959&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct short-day variety of strawberry plant named ‘BG- 959 ’. This new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the southern coast of California. A small plant with large uniformly shaped berries primarily characterizes the new variety. Foliage is small in size with short petioles producing very few bract leaflets. Production is early beginning as early as late December, producing upwards of 20% to 25% of it production by the end of February. The fruit is large in size, very firm, flat conical in shape with a smooth surface lacking creases and ridges.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Fragaria ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘BG-959’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct short-day strawberryvariety designated as ‘BG-959’. This new variety is a result of acontrolled cross made by the Inventors, Steven D. Nelson, Michael D.Nelson and Lee W. Stoeckle, in 1996 between ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 8,708) and ‘PS-1269’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686). The variety isbotanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexuallypropagated by stolons in a nursery located in Siskiyou County,California, and was subsequently selected by the Inventors from acontrolled breeding plot near Oxnard, Calif. in 1998. After itsselection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by stolonsin both Siskiyou County, California and San Joaquin County, California.The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years infruiting fields near Oxnard, Calif. This propagation has demonstratedthat the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing thenew variety are fixed and remain true to type through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘BG-959’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions ofthe southern coast of California. This region provides the necessarywinter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plantand to remain in fruit production from January through June. The nearbyPacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures tomaintain fruit quality during the winter and spring production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘BG-959. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘BG-959’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. a small plant with large uniformly shaped berries;    -   2. foliage small in size with short petioles producing very few        bract leaflets;    -   3. fruit large in size, very firm, and flat conical in shape        with a smooth surface lacking creases and ridges;    -   4. production of cultivar is early beginning as early as late        December, producing upwards of 20% to 25% of it production by        the end of February; and    -   5. cultivar is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of        the southern coast of California.

The varieties that are believed to be most closely related to ‘BG-959’are ‘BG-269’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,628) and parental cultivar‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708).

In comparison to the similar varieties ‘BG-269’ and ‘Camarosa’, ‘BG-959’differs by the following combination of characteristics as described inTable 1: TABLE 1 Charac- ‘BG-269’ ‘Camarosa’ teristic ‘BG-959’(PP12,628) (PP8,708) Plant Size small large medium Vigor weak strongmedium Foliage/ Petioles Leaf size medium-small medium-large mediumFrequency 5-10% 60-70% 2-6% of bract leaflets Petiole short long longlength Petiolule short long medium length Stipule short long mediumlength Fruit Size medium-large large-very large medium-large L/W ratioslightly longer slightly broader much longer than broad than long thanbroad Shape conical-flat conical conical-rounded cylindrical- wedgedBand narrow absent or very medium without narrow achenes Unevennessabsent or very weak medium medium-strong of surface Glossinessmedium-strong medium-strong medium-weak Insertion level with surfacelevel with surface below surface of achenes Flesh firm-very firm mediumvery firm firmness Inflor- escences Position level with level with toabove level with to relative beneath to foliage Fruiting short mediumshort truss length Time of early-very early medium-early early-veryripening early

For identification a series of molecular markers have been determinedfor this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the newvariety ‘BG-959’ at various stages of development as true as isreasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in thebotanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘BG-959’.The depicted plant and plant parts were taken from Oxnard, Calif. andare approximately 5 to 6 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics on Mar. 18, 2003;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical mature tri-foliate on Mar. 2,2005;

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of fruit on Mar. 22, 2002;

FIG. 4 shows typical internal and external fruit characteristics on Apr.3, 2003; and

FIG. 5 shows typical mature and immature field fruit on Mar. 2, 2005.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following description of ‘BG-959’ unless otherwise noted, is basedon observations taken during the 2003 growing season in Oxnard, Calif.These measurements and ratings were taken from plants dug from ahigh-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, California during thefirst week of October 2002 and planted 5 days later in Oxnard, Calif.The approximate age of the observed plants is 5 to 6 months. Yieldobservations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from fouryears of data collected from the 2001 through the 2004 growing seasons.The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, dependingupon variations in environmental factors, including weather(temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type andlocation. ‘BG-959’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. Color terminology follows the Munsell Book ofColors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

Fruit Characteristics

Tables 2, 3 and 4 describe fruit, fruit production and fruit qualitycharacteristics of ‘BG-959’. Characteristics are taken from secondaryfruit on a first year planting. TABLE 2 2000-2004 market fruit yield andfruit size characteristics of ‘BG-959’ with standards from Oxnard,California. 2000-2004 2000-2004 2000-2004 Average Average Average FreshFreezer Fruit Yield Yield Size Cultivar GM/PL GM/PL GRM ‘BG-959’ 672 25626.8 ‘BG-269’ 874 246 30.5 ‘Camarosa’ 648 250 25.6Fruit was harvested from January through June 2000-2004. The plants of‘BG-959’ were dug from a high elevation nursery (Macdoel, California)during the first week of October and planted approximately 3 to 4 dayslater in Oxnard, California. ‘BG-959’ is compared with standards dug andplanted comparably.

TABLE 3 Comparison of 2001-2004 fruit quality characteristics, includingflavor and soluble solids of ‘BG-959’, with standards from Oxnard,California. Character ‘BG-959’ ‘BG-269’ ‘Camarosa’ Skin Firmness* 8.28.0 8.3 Fruit Appearance* 7.7 7.6 6.3 Fruit Gloss* 8.0 8.0 7.5 Flavor**2.6 3.0 2.4 Soluble Solids*** 7.4 8.0 7.5*Results are averaged from 4 years of data collected from Januarythrough May 2001-2004. Ratings are based on a scale from 1-10; thehigher the rating, the stronger the skin and more attractive and glossythe berry.**Results are averaged from 3 years of data collected from March throughMay 2002-2004. Ratings are based on a scale from 1-5; the higher therating the better the flavor.***Results are averaged from 3 years of data collected from Marchthrough May 2002-2004. Soluble solid content is measured in percentBrix, with percent Brix being an indirect measurement of the sugarcontent in the fruit.

TABLE 4 Comparison of secondary fruit characteristics of ‘BG-959’, withstandards from Oxnard, California, Mar. 19, 2003. Character ‘BG-959’‘BG-269’ ‘Camarosa’ Munsell Color 7.5R 3/8 to 4/10 7.5R 2/8 to 3/8 5R3/8 to 3/10 Range Mature Fruit Fruit Length 4.39 4.07 4.69 mean (cm)Fruit Width 4.03 4.29 3.75 mean (cm)* Fruit Length/Width 1.10 0.95 1.25Ratio Calyx Diameter 4.4 5.2 4.6 mean (cm) No. Sepals/Berry 11.6 13.211.8 Seed Weight 0.50 0.50 0.67 mean (mgs)*Width is measured across the widest part of the berry, typically acrossthe shoulders

-   Fruit:    -   -   Ratio of length/width.—Slightly longer than broad.        -   Size.—Medium to large.        -   Predominant shape.—Conical to flat conical.        -   Difference in shapes between primary and secondary            fruit.—Slight to moderate.        -   Band without achenes.—Narrow.        -   Unevenness of surface.—Absent or very weak.        -   Color of mature fruit.—Red, (4.5R 3/8 to 4/10).        -   Evenness of color.—Slightly uneven to even.        -   Glossiness.—Medium to strong.        -   Insertion of achenes.—Level with surface.        -   Insertion of calyx.—In basin to level with.        -   Attitude of the calyx segments.—Collapsing.        -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Slightly            larger.        -   Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe).—Strong.        -   Firmness of skin.—Very firm.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Firm to very firm.        -   Color of flesh.—Medium red (7.5R 4/12 to 4/14).        -   Distribution of red color of the flesh.—Marginal and            central.        -   Hollow center.—Moderately expressed.        -   Seed color.—Medium yellow to medium red (5Y 6/8 to 7.5R            3/8).        -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Very            early to early.        -   Time of ripening (50% of plants with ripe fruit).—Very early            to early.        -   Type of bearing.—Not remontant.

Plant Characteristics

Table 5 describes plant characteristics of ‘BG-959’. Characteristics aretaken from a fully mature mid season plant. TABLE 5 Comparison of plantcharacteristics of ‘BG-959’, with standards from Oxnard, California,Mar. 19, 2003. Character ‘BG-959’ ‘BG-269’ ‘Camarosa’ Plant Height 10.815.3 14.2 mean (cm) Plant Spread 24.4 28.7 27.2 mean (cm) Crowns/Plant(mean) 2.6 2.8 2.7

-   Plant:    -   -   Size.—Small.        -   Habit.—Flat globose.        -   Density.—Medium.        -   Vigor.—Weak to medium.-   Stolons:    -   -   Number.—Medium to few.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium.        -   Thickness.—Medium to thin.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.

Foliage Characteristics

Table 6 describes foliage characteristics of ‘BG-959’. Characteristicsare taken from a fully mature tri-foliate during mid season. TABLE 6Comparison of leaf characteristics of ‘BG-959’, with standards fromOxnard, California, Mar. 19, 2003. Character ‘BG-959’ ‘BG-269’‘Camarosa’ Munsell 7.5GY 3/4 to 3/6 7.5GY 3/4 to 3/6 5GY 3/4 to 3/6Color Range (upper surface) Terminal 5.7 6.7 6.3 Leaflet Length mean(cm) Terminal 5.3 5.8 5.7 Leaflet Width mean (cm) Terminal Leaflet 1.081.2 1.1 ratio (L/W) Petiole Length 7.6 9.7 9.7 mean (cm) Petiole Width2.8 3.1 2.8 mean (mm) Petiolule Length 3.6 9.2 6.0 mean (mm)Serrations/Leaf 18.8 21.0 17.7 Serration Depth 3.2 3.4 4.2 mean (mm)Stipule Length 1.1 1.9 1.4 mean (cm) Stipule Width 1.2 1.2 1.1 mean (cm)

-   Foliage:    -   -   Color of upper surface.—Medium green, (7.5GY 3/4 to 3/6).        -   Color of under side.—Medium gray green (7.5GY 5/4 to 6/4).        -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave to slightly convex.        -   Blistering.—Medium to strong.        -   Glossiness.—Medium to strong.        -   Number of leaflets/leaf.—Three.-   Terminal leaflet:    -   -   Size.—Medium to small.        -   Length/width ratio.—As long as broad to longer than broad.        -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.        -   Shape of incision of margins.—Rounded.-   Petiole:    -   -   Pubescence.—Heavy.        -   Stipule color.—Medium green, (2.5GY 6/6 to 6/8).        -   Anthocyanin coloration of stipule.—Medium to strong.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Strongly outward.        -   Frequency of bract leaflets.—Few (occur on approx 5-10% of            petioles).

Flowers and Inflorescences

Table 7 describes inflorescence and flower characteristics of ‘BG-959’.Inflorescence characteristics are taken from a fully mature plant whileflower characteristics are taken from a secondary flower during midseason. TABLE 7 Comparison of inflorescence and secondary flowercharacteristics of ‘BG-959’, with standards from Oxnard, California,Mar. 19, 2003. Character ‘BG-959’ ‘BG-269’ ‘Camarosa’ Fruiting TrussLength* 19.1 24.3 21.0 mean (cm) Corola Diameter 3.2 3.3 3.0 mean (cm)Calyx Diameter 3.6 3.7 3.4 mean (cm) Petal Length 1.3 1.3 1.1 mean (cm)Petal Width 1.2 1.4 1.1 mean (cm) Petal L/W Ratio 1.08 0.93 1.0Petals/Flower (mean) 5.7 6.7 5.5 Sepal Length 1.4 1.4 1.3 mean (cm)Sepal Width 0.7 0.5 0.6 mean (cm) Sepal L/W Ratio 2.0 2.8 2.2Sepals/Flower (mean) 11.0 13.1 11.3*As measured from the base of the primary peduncle where it attaches tothe crown of the plant to the furthest berry.

-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Level with.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Anthocyanins.—Moderate to strong.-   Flowers:    -   -   Color.—White, (N 9.25/84.2% R to N 9/78.7% R).        -   Size.—Large.        -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Larger.        -   Relative position of petals.—Touching to overlapping.        -   Petal length/width ratio.—Longer than broad.

Pest Reactions

This new variety may not be resistant to any of the known insects,diseases or viruses common in California. It is known to be tolerant tothe two-spotted spider mite, aphid and flower thrips when treatedproperly. It is also known to be moderately tolerant to grey fruit mold,powdery mildew and susceptible to angular leaf spot. The susceptibilityof the new variety to any of the virus complexes of California has notbeen determined.

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘BG-959’, as hereindescribed and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.